Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa Asks CAF Boss Patrice Motsepe for South African Teams' Protection on the Continent

• Historically, South African teams have not been treated well on travels across the continent
• The latest incident involves the debacle that was Marumo Gallants' 'hostage drama' in Libya
• Sports minister Zizi Kodwa has pleaded to CAF president Patrice Motsepe for more protection

South African teams travelling to other African countries must be better protected.

This was the plea from the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa to his fellow countryman and CAF president, Patrice Motsepe.

This was in the wake of some members of the Marumo Gallants' management being held captive by a Libyan hotel for alleged non-payment following a CAF Confederations Cup match.

Speaking to TimesLIVE, Kodwa said:

“I had an opportunity to speak to the president of CAF in Durban to say there are things we as government cannot do but federations can do, and I think CAF can help us."

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“There have been experiences on the field, too. I think CAF has a role to play because we can’t have it that every team from South Africa that plays on the continent experiences these kinds of conditions."

It is a tale reportedly stretching back to 1992: male and female South African club and international sides being on the receiving end of subtle and even blatant mistreatment, SNL24 reported.

Last November, Sports Brief revealed on Royal AM's poor welcome to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their Confederations Cup encounter for a clash against TP Mazembe.

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Speaking of Motsepe, Sports Brief reported last month on how he could not help but be a patriot despite his office's supposed impartiality.

The CAF chief wants Bafana Bafana to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.

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SAFA ropes in Arsene Wenger

Motsepe's hopes came in the wake of the South African Football Association's failing Vision 2030 receiving a boost with its next plan of action.

The country's football governing body had decided to rope in the great former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger to help realign football plans.

At the time, SAFA president, Danny Jordaan explained the football body had 'engaged' Wenger on how to establish globally competitive teams.